Indiana's Burton retiring from U.S. House

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WASHINGTON, Jan. 31 (UPI) -- Rep. Dan Burton, R-Ind., said Tuesday he will not seek re-election this year, giving up the seat he has held since 1983.

In announcing his decision to retire, Burton, 73, said in a statement posted on his official Web site it has been "an incredible honor" to serve in both the Indiana State House and the U.S. House of Representatives.

"I want to thank all of those who have given me the great honor to serve in the legislative branch of government for all of these years," Burton said. "To go from humble beginnings to meeting with presidents, kings, princes and some of the world's most powerful leaders, it has been an experience that I cherish. I consider myself to be the luckiest man on the face of the Earth!"

The chairman of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee also thanked his colleagues, who he said, "made this an experience I will never forget."